The Placentia Bay Post

Abigail hurriedly turned the engine off. She quickly looked in the mirror to check her hair. It was all askew, but it was most of the time, so shrugged her shoulders. No matter. She then darted to the door, as her brother and his wife were already there waiting to go in.

“Hey, loser,” she said to her brother. It was always a game with them, since they were young. He was older than she was and usually brushed it off as the usual from his kid sister. That he didn’t respond, was no surprise. Her mother opened the door and welcomed them in.

“Oh, Geoffrey,” she said, her arms open wide. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“I wouldn’t want to miss Easter. Not now, anyway.”

“Thank you, my love,” her mother said, giving him a long hug, then turning to Amy, her brother’s wife and giving her a hug. The two of them chatted while Geoffrey became reacquainted with the dog, Bark, who was also eager greet the new visitors.

Abigail was all smiles, but her mother then turned, she and Amy walking further into the home. A little dumbfounded, she disregarded it, thinking, oh, well.

“Mom?” Abigail called out. “Geoff?” she said to her brother who was then taking off his boots. But he didn’t respond, just getting up and walking into the sitting room. “Geoff?” she said again, sing-songing his name. Nothing.

Then, she laughed, sure that everyone must be ignoring her on purpose. Some sort of joke, she was sure. Still, it was odd. She went into the sitting room. All her family were there, chatting. She could smell the meal. Her mom had found a local farm from whom she’d begun buying their meat. It was always delicious. The aroma of the turkey filled the air, mixed delectably with the smell of seasoning her mom always put into the dressing.

Everyone kept chatting, just pausing when her mom came in to briefly let everyone know, it’d just be another fifteen minutes. But everyone they expected was here. Abigail then came to sit on the couch next to her sister. No one was paying any attention to her. It was getting really strange. “Hello,” she said. “Hello.” A little louder. Still, nothing.

Abigail went a little closer to where her brother was sitting, close enough to hear the conversation he was having with her oldest brother.

“I don’t know,” Eric said. “You knew her best. There was just no getting through to her in the end.”

“Yeah. She’d just let it take hold of her and in the end, she had nothing in her left to fight.”

“I went to her place about two months ago,” Geoff said.

“How was that?” Geoff rolled his eyes, looking at his brother.

“Well, she wasn’t high, at least. But the place was a mess, things all over the place. Complete disarray. I mean, whatever. All we know is she was so lost. Abby should never have gotten together with that guy. I don’t even remember his name.” Abigail frowned. “What?” she thought. Then it slowly came to her and the world started closing in. “It can’t be.”

“Samuel. And I heard he’s gone, too,” Melissa, Abigail’s sister said as she was walking past. Abigail sank down onto the seat, but her leg seemed to disappear into her brother’s leg. She wasn’t even totally there, she thought, looking up in shock. “I can’t believe this,” she said to herself. Abigail looked up when her brother began to speak.

“I mean, I tried to reason with her. Geez, I told her I’d pay if she’d only go into rehab.”

“Well, you know Abby. She was always stubborn,” Eric said. “I’m not stubborn,” Abigail said immediately, obstinate they’d misjudged her.

“Yeah, for sure.” Geoff paused for a moment. Still, ya know, I actually thought I’d convinced her. I left having told her I’d be back the next day and we could start to get things organised,” Geoff said.

“O, man, really?” Eric said, draining his wine.

“Yeah,” Geoff said. “Then, the next day, of course, we heard.” He looked up meeting Eric’s eyes. “I tried so hard to, I don’t know, make her realise she was worth something.” Abigail stared at him, her eyes moistening. “I listened. I heard what you were saying. I know I’m worth something. You were right,” she said, her voice breaking. “Didn’t I go?” she said to herself, like it was coming back to her. “I’m sure I went,” she said to herself, quickly patting herself on her chest. “I’m not dead,” she said. “I’m not dead!” she screamed at the top of her lungs.

She looked up as her mother came into the room. “Supper’s ready,” she said, clapping her hands.

“Time to put the feed bags on,” her husband said, giving her a hug and a kiss. Abigail sat back on the sofa in disbelief and anger. How dare they say I didn’t go into rehab.

But for the life of her, she wasn’t completely sure that she had. And she was maybe more angry that she distantly remembered resisting Geoff’s pleas. I can’t believe this. “I can’t be dead” she said, her head down, tears trailing down her cheeks.

Abigail heard them talking and laughing in the dining room. All she wanted to do was get out of there. With tears were in her eyes, she could barely see, everything was so blurred …

“Abby? Abby?” she heard a familiar voice. She knew that voice. Yes, it was her brother, Geoff.

“I’ll go get a nurse.” That sounded like Amy, Abigail thought.

“Abby?” She blinked, but everything was so blurred. “Abby? Come on, girl. You can do it,” he said excitedly. Blinking again, she could just make out Geoff’s face.

Someone else appeared, checking things. It was the nurse who began removing tubing. Abigail met Geoff’s eyes. He smiled, stepping back to give room for the nurses. They finished and after checking to make certain everything was okay, they left the room. Geoff sat down next to the bed.

“Oh, Abby. I’m so glad you’ve woken up. It was touch and go there for a while. I wasn’t even sure you were gonna make it,” he said, holding her hand. Abigail smiled as best she could.

“Am I okay?” she said, faintly.

“Yeah, girl. You had an overdose.” Their eyes met, neither saying a word. “But hey, look at you. You made it through,” he said, brushing her hair from he forehead. “You scared the life outta us. I’ve already rung Mom, Dad and everyone else. They should be here soon.

“Did I go to rehab, like you’d said?’

“No, girl. The plan was for you to start this week. Remember? But then, I guess things happened. As I say, we just heard you must’ve overdosed. He looked away, not saying another word for a moment. “But you still can, though,” he said, his words filled with hope. “Is that what you want to do?” She nodded her head slowly. Abigail shuddered, remembering the hollow feeling that had travelled throughout her body when she realised she’d actually died. It was raw fear.

“I will. I promise I will,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

“Oh, Abby. That’s music to my ears. We can get things organised in a few days, I’m sure,” he said, wiping the tears from his eyes. “I love you Abby. We’re gonna do this together aren’t we.” She squeezed his hand.